Pair of games against Hawks could be playoff preview for Cavs

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have three games remaining on their schedule. Two of them are against the surging Atlanta Hawks, which started with Wednesday's encounter. If the playoffs started today, Cleveland would host the Hawks in a first-round series. The Cavs are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference and Atlanta is fifth. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said he isn't holding anything back. "Let's hoop tonight and see where we are," he said. "It's Cavs focus, at least 98 percent of it." The teams have split the first two matchups of the season. Cleveland won 117-109 on Nov. 2 and lost 130-123 on Nov. 28. The Hawks (45-34) came into Wednesday's game having won 18 of their last 22 games. Atkinson said both teams have changed drastically since the early meetings. "We'll get some good feedback," he said. "We'll get some good film on the team. We'll prioritize winning first. We want to be whole and healthy for the playoffs." Cleveland (50-29), which has won eight of 10 games, had guard Donovan Mitchell and forward Dean Wade back in the lineup Wednesday. Both had been hobbled with ankle injuries. Swingman Jaylon Tyson remains out of the lineup with a bone bruise in his right big toe. "He's ramping up," Atkinson said. "He's conditioning now." The Cavs want him to take part in one more five-on-five practice game before he's activated. Atkinson said they are hopeful Tyson will play Friday in Atlanta. Backup center Thomas Bryant also missed Wednesday's game with a calf injury. Atkinson said he has much respect for the Hawks, leaders in the Southeast Division. "They are super red-hot," he said. "They are the hottest team in the league." Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said he isn't worried about his first-round opponent. "We want to keep improving," he said. "That's been the focus. I don't know if we care who we play." Cavs forward/center Evan Mobley wants to play well against Atlanta. "There's a high chance of playing them," he said. "We've already started scouting them and (looking at) their tendencies and a lot of their players, as well. All that will be taken into account tonight. "We want to have every advantage that we can and try to use this to our advantage." Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.